NKG2D chimeric antigen receptor NK cell

NKG2D chimeric antigen receptor NK cells are genetically engineered natural killer (NK) cells that express a synthetic receptor composed of the extracellular domain of the human NKG2D protein fused to intracellular signaling domains, typically including CD3ζ. The NKG2D component enables these modified NK cells to recognize and bind to multiple stress-induced ligands (such as MICA, MICB, and ULBPs) that are commonly overexpressed on malignant or infected cells but rarely found on healthy tissue. Upon ligand binding, the CAR construct activates the NK cell’s cytotoxic response and cytokine secretion through downstream signaling pathways. This approach is being developed primarily for cancer immunotherapy—targeting both hematologic malignancies (like acute myeloid leukemia and multiple myeloma) and solid tumors—due to its ability to selectively eliminate tumor or stressed cells while sparing normal tissues[1][2][5]. The technology is under investigation by several biotechnology companies in early-phase clinical trials.

Other names

NKG2D CAR-NK cellNKG-2D CAR-NK cellNKG 2D CAR-NK cellNKG2D-CAR NK cellNKG-2D-CAR NK cellNKG 2D-CAR NK cellNKG2D chimeric antigen receptor natural killer cellNKG-2D chimeric antigen receptor natural killer cellNKG 2D chimeric antigen receptor natural killer cell